Cryptic crossword clue
Old team digs in frantically, though going rusty 9

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word OXIDISING

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
O
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "going rusty" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case going rusty = oxidising.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does OXIDISING mean?

OXIDISING adjective
  1. Alternative spelling of oxidizing
OXIDISING verb
  1. To combine with oxygen or otherwise make an oxide.
  2. To increase the valence (or the positive charge) of an element by removing electrons.
  3. To coat something with an oxide.
  4. To become oxidized.

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